Yadgir: In a significant move, the Yadgir zilla panchayat has blacklisted 20 activists from various organisations for allegedly harassing government officials by filing false complaints. The order, issued by the ZP CEO, covers activists associated with Dalit Sangarsh Samiti, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Bhim Army, Karnataka Rakshana Sene, Dalit Sene, along with some gram panchayat members and several other organisations.
Officials said some activists allegedly misused the public grievance mechanism to target government employees, exert pressure through baseless allegations, and also demanded money. Many reportedly created a ruckus by staging protests and dharnas before filing complaints against officials, alleging delays in developmental works.
ZP CEO Lavish Ordia told TOI: “We received multiple complaints regarding delays in civil works, misappropriation of funds in taluk and gram panchayats, improper road construction, issues in social welfare department hostels, and other works, along with complaints against officials from departments under the zilla panchayat. Some activists also used a minister’s influence to lodge complaints.”
He said: “We formed committees and initiated preliminary inquiries based on complaints from 24 activists and office-bearers of various organisations over the past six months to one year. Inquiry officers also visited spots to inspect works and questioned officials accused of irregularities and non-punctuality. However, to our shock, most complainants began withdrawing complaints midway without cooperating with the inquiry process. One activist who filed nearly 60 complaints over three years also withdrew them.”
Complainants also failed to provide proper documents and details to substantiate allegations. Their conduct and withdrawal of cases indicated that the complaints were false and intended to target government employees. Officials said they met each complainant to understand the withdrawals, but received unsatisfactory replies.
ZP CEO said: “This amounts to misuse of government machinery, involving staff time and expenses for spot inspections. Notices were issued to 24 activists to recover expenses incurred on inquiries. Only four responded by paying a fine of Rs 5,000 each, while 20 failed to respond. Finally, we blacklisted 20 activists for misleading the administration and misusing the grievance cell as a weapon against officials. As per the order, they are banned from filing complaints within ZP limits for one year from June, and their complaints will not be entertained during this period.”
